ROCKY MOUNT, NC – In the opinion of Qwandale Jerome Pippen – better known as the hip hop artist QJP 11, which nods to his birthday on Nov. 11 (11/11) – too many people today pretend to be something they’re not. He just wants people to be themselves and quit hiding behind masks and personifications of something different. This is why he created the hot new song “Boom Boutta Bang.”
Taking inspiration from a life that has been a series of experiments – from trying to be hood then going to college, and then rapping – QJP 11 created a song that not only will have people bouncing but also encourages them to embrace the unique qualities that make them one-of-a-kind.
“I start by giving that message to myself because I’m not trying to point fingers at anybody,” QJP 11 said. “None of those things worked out for me until I found rapping, and I finally found what I liked and loved. Don’t try to be a gangster if you’re not, or a college person if that’s not for you, or a rapper trying to be something you’re not.
That’s what ‘Boom Boutta Bang’ means. It’s just a phrase I came up with that slides off the tongue, and I use it to call out people who are trying to be something they’re not. I’m different because I will bring something different to hip hop. I noticed hardcore gangster rap is not who I am, so I’ve found another route.”
QJP 11 said all of his music is an effort to emphasize his originality. He’s not trying to pretend to be something he’s not though he often tries new things from time to time. He also likes to make a Plan A and a Plan B and even a Plan C, just in case things don’t go the way they’re supposed to. Growing up, he was always moving from one place to another and he considers himself lucky to have seen so many different sides of life – whether poor, middle class or rich.
“Looking on the outside-in, no one knows what people really go through, but we stereotype people anyways,” he said. “Just because you see a big house or a small house doesn’t mean you know what’s going on inside. It could be broken on the inside but we look on the outside and try to figure it out. At an early age, I always had a thing for being creative – whether it was drawing or coloring or writing. I just like being myself just how I am. All my life I was wondering who I was and what my purpose was.
I tried to be a gangster but it didn’t work out. Then I tried the college thing and that didn’t work out, either. But when I rap, it’s like I’ve found myself and I feel a part of it.
I started by giving the rap message to my friend who really wanted to be a gangster but didn’t have to because he was highly blessed already. I then started to realize I was talking about me too, because I used to want to be hood but I didn’t have to be. ‘Boom Boutta Bang’ means when you’re going through something and trying to figure out if it’s for you or not. If it’s not, then change to something else.”
QJP 11 said “Boom Boutta Bang” is the first single off an EP called “Listen to Understand” which is slated to drop before the end of August. He also said he’s working on lining up some performances in the next coming months. A music video for “Boom Boutta Bang” is set to drop on his YouTube channel later this month.
To listen to QJP 11’s music or to follow him on social media, please visit:
https://m.facebook.com/home.php
https://www.instagram.com/its_qjp11/
https://mobile.twitter.com/ItsQjp11
“Listen To Understand”
https://open.spotify.com/album/1GMbQwVvjhjqntn8eXE7Y9?si=yxAdqTFKSPqXh6wef6WHxQ
